I have a laptop computer connected to my stereo and I am slowly filling it with all of my favorite songs. So when I’m not playing a specific CD or LP, I listen to my “digital jukebox” and one great song automatically follows another. For some, it’s too random and unpredictable. Personally, I enjoy the element of surprise. It reminds me of listening to the radio when the DJ suddenly decides to play one of your favorite songs — and you didn't think the DJ even knew the name of the band, let alone which song by them to play. Do you know what I mean by music's ability to surprise? For me, it's that sudden guitar chord that bursts out of nowhere, filling the room with sound and my mind with images and my mouth with words. For me it's that drum beat that can blast away the sourest mood and put a light step in my walk. and make me want to tap or beat rhythm on anything my hands come in contact with. For me its a sweet voice or, better yet, a pair of sweet voices singing together — filling my head instantly with words and harmonies and choruses and refrains and loosening my tongue to sing along — or at the very least whistle. The element of surprise that I'm talking about is the amazing way just the opening few seconds of certain songs can transport you almost instantly — for whatever reasons: cerebral, physical, sexual, mental, emotional, irrational, or spiritual. I think today's Happy Medium Song of the Day fits that bill. The opening seconds of this song always puts me in a good mood and make me want to slash at my air guitar or beat on some imaginary drum heads. And let's face it, it doesn't get any more basic than this… Rock n' roll distilled to its essence in both sound and sentiment: after all, either you do or you don't, right?
The Move were formed in 1965 as an amalgamation of already well-established British musicians. Their song “Flowers in the Rain” was the first single to be played on England’s first full-time pop music station, BBC Radio 1. Interestingly, in true rock n’ roll fashion, the record that song was on, had its share of controversy. A caricature of then prime minister—Harold Wilson—became the subject of a huge legal dispute. Wilson sued and won substantial damages, including all the royalties from “Flowers in the Rain” which he donated to charity. Oddly, the only song by The Move to have any impact on the American charts was actually released as the b-side of “California Man” in 1972. Five years later, Roy Wood, Bev Bevan and Jeff Lynne had become the nucleus of the band known as The Electric Light Orchestra, and they released the song again — this time as an A-side that got as high as #24 in the US charts. The Happy Medium Song of the Day—a song with one of music's most memorable opening chords—is “Do Ya” from the LP A New World Record. It can also be found on The Move's last album: Message From the Country. (Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)